Author
Symmons Industries
One noteworthy trend in the Hospitality industry is the rise of “bleisure” stays, the mixing of business and leisure. Rather than hurrying to get through quick business trips, these days many business travelers are extending their stays and turning work travel into something more enjoyable: a chance to relax, visit a new place, and take in the local sights and attractions.
With this new brand of business travel comes a new style of hotel room and common areas: practical, flexible spaces designed to meet a wide range of needs. Here are four surefire ways to design your new builds and remodels to meet what bleisure travelers want in a hotel.
Prioritize Functionality
When it comes to their hotel room and common spaces, business/leisure travelers seek to maximize their productivity at every touch point during their stay. Bleisure travelers need WiFi and workspaces equally as much as comfort and convenience. This means everything from sleek and modern shower designs to help them start their day, to convenient access to electrical outlets so they can recharge at night. To see a good example of how to streamline both function and form, check out the stylishly minimalist functionality of the Holiday Inn Express® Formula Blue™ brand.
The Dia® Single Handle Lavatory Faucet in Polished Chrome combines ease-of-use with contemporary design.
Include Creative, Comfortable Working Spaces
Blending business with pleasure creates an added need for flexibility in hotel room accommodations. Plentiful workspace in the guestrooms as well as the hotel’s common areas is a priority for these guests, but comfort is a key feature guests seek, too. For example, see how Courtyard® by Marriott® blends both comfortable seating and functional workspaces into their guestrooms.
Provide the Comforts of Home for Extended Stays
The majority of “work-cation” travelers don’t bother changing hotels when they extend their stay by a few days on either end. You can increase the chances of these guests choosing the convenience of staying put by providing the comforts they are accustomed to at home. For example, include a kitchen or kitchenette in guest rooms for the at-home feel. Residence Inn® by Marriott and Homewood Suites by Hilton™ take it a step further by offering grocery shopping services with delivery to the guest’s room.
Accent the kitchenette with the attractive Sereno® Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in the bold Matte Black finish.
The Dia® Single Handle Bar Sink Faucet shown here in Satin Nickel saves space in a tight prep area.
Inspire with Ample Opportunities for Socialization and Relaxation
One of the primary reasons business-leisure travelers extend their business trips is because they feel it helps them to relax and recharge, which can improve the quality of their work. Bleisure travelers often travel not only with coworkers and colleagues, but also with family members. It’s therefore important to allow for relaxation not only by designing luxurious private spaces, such as guest rooms and suites, but also common areas such as lobbies, media rooms, and kitchenettes, such as those seen in common areas at the Residence Inn® by Marriott®.
Knowing what business travelers want in a hotel today means understanding the role their accommodations need to play. Far more than just a place to sleep and work, bleisure travelers today want a hotel that is going to bridge the gap between work and play. Symmons can help you meet these complex needs with products that are built to last, designed to stand out, and backed by a customer-first culture. For more ideas and inspiration, download our eBook, Creative Solutions for Hospitality Design Challenges.
